Investigators Say Incident Happened On Boston-Bound Delta Flight

A University of Utah professor has been placed on administrative leave after Massachusetts State Police arrested him at Boston Logan International Airport this weekend after a fellow airline passenger said the man watched child pornography on his laptop computer while on board the plane.

?The notion that someone would be so bold as to view it in public is extraordinary and I?m not sure what the explanation is,? said attorney and victim's advocate, Wendy Murphy.

Investigators said Smith, an engineering professor at the University of Utah, was seated in the first class section at the time. The passenger alerted the flight crew to the incident and emailed a family member so that they could contact police.

Smith, a father of two young children, was traveling to Boston to attend a conference for the Material Research Society meeting at the Hynes Convention Center.

Officials said Smith was interviewed by troopers when the flight landed in Boston at 4:12 p.m. where sources said he consented to a search of his computer and cell phone.

After troopers allegedly found images of young girls, Smith was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.

?Someone who not only sees it but is smart enough to take a picture of it is very solid evidence. Reporting it immediately to law enforcement, law enforcement then being able to do their own immediate investigation -- that?s a very strong case -- at least at this point," said Murphy.

?I would be very offended and I would probably turn him in too,? said another female passenger.

Police said the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has joined the investigation.

Smith was being held at the Logan Airport Barracks and his bail was set at $15,000. He was scheduled to be arraigned at East Boston District Court on Monday. Police said more charges may follow.